Method and device for power management and control of advanced telecom computing architecture system

ABSTRACT

An Advanced Telecom Computing Architecture system and a method for power management and control of the system are disclosed. The system includes a Front Board (FRB) and a Rear Transition Module (RTM)/Front Transition Module (FTM). The FRB includes a first power conversion/control module that supplies power to the FRB and RTM/FTM. The system further includes a control circuit that outputs control signal, and a second power conversion/control module that supplies power to the RTM/FTM according to the control signal.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/408,429, filed on Mar. 20, 2009, which is a continuation ofInternational Application No. PCT/CN2007/070743, filed on Sep. 20, 2007.The International Application claims priority to Chinese PatentApplication No. 200610159418.2, filed on Sep. 21, 2006, all of which arehereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.

FIELD

The present invention relates to a technology of power control for atelecommunication device, and more particularly, to a method and devicefor power management and control of an Advanced TelecommunicationComputing Architecture (ATCA) system.

BACKGROUND

ATCA is an open industrial standard architecture stipulated anddeveloped by the PCI Industrial Computer Manufacturers' Group, and isdesigned as universal hardware platform technologies for both telecomdevices and computing servers. Various telecom devices and computingservers that meet different requirements can be built by various modulesbased on the ATCA standard. ATCA generally refers to the PICMG 3.xseries standards, including specifications of shelf structure, powersource, heat dispersion, single board structure, backplaneinterconnection topology, system management, switch network proposals,etc. ATCA in broad sense includes specifications made by PICMG, such asATCA, ATCA 300 and MicroTCA.

Intelligent Platform Management Interface (IPMI) specification is anintelligent platform management interface standard proposed by some bigcomputer communication companies for improving servers' usability, whichis to provide the servers with functions like device management,sensor/event management, user management, fan shelf/power shelfmanagement, remote maintenance, etc.

PICMG 3.0 defines the IPMI specification as a management specificationthat ATCA abides by. A block diagram of the principle of single boardpower control based on IPMI management specification is shown in FIG. 1,in which Intelligent Platform Management Controller (IPMC) andIntelligent Platform Management Bus (IPMB) are both managementcomponents defined in the IPMI specification. The powerconversion/control module is configured to receive backplane power inputand complete conversion of management power and load power that theboard needs, where the management power is supplied to managementrelated circuits like IPMC, etc., and the load power is supplied to theload circuit. After the single board is plugged into the backplane, thepower conversion/control module does not supply a management power undercontrol; the IPMC is powered on and starts to work normally. At thismoment, the load power is not supplied. When certain conditions are met,the single board IPMC communicates with Shelf Manager via IntelligentPlatform Management Bus (IPMB); after getting permission from the ShelfManager, the single board IPMC enables the ENABLE signal of the loadpower of the power conversion/control module, which in turn suppliesload power to the load circuit.

The structure of an ATCA single board is shown in FIG. 2. The ATCAspecification defines two types of single boards: Front Board (FRB) andRear Transition Module (RTM). The connector at the backplane side of theATCA single board is divided into three zones: Zone 1, Zone 2, and Zone3. The Zone 1 connector provides power and management plane signals forthe front board. The Zone 2 connector provides the Front Board withcontrol plane signal, data plane signal and clock signal. The Zone 3connector is used for user-customized connections. The front board isplugged into the ATCA shelf from its front, and is connected to thebackplane via the Zone 1 and Zone 2 connectors, including the connectionof a power source with a signal. The Rear Transition Module is pluggedinto the ATCA shelf from its back, and is connected to the correspondingFront Board via the Zone 3 connector, including the connection of thepower source with the signal.

In FIG. 2, two handles, a top handle and a bottom handle, forfacilitating the plugging/unplugging of the single board, are installedon both the FRB and the RTM. A handle switch is mounted at the positionof the bottom handle of the Front Board. The handle switch is indifferent states when the bottom handle is opened or closed. The IPMC onthe FRB can recognize whether the bottom handle is open or closed bydetecting the state of the handle switch signal that is coupled to thehandle switch. The transition of the handle state is a key element inthe transition of operating states of an ATCA single board.

The ATCA single board has different operating states during itsoperation. FIG. 3 shows the transition of the operating states of theATCA single board. As shown in FIG. 3, the single board is in M0 statewhen it is not completely plugged into the ATCA shelf backplane. Theboard is in M1 state when it is completely plugged into the backplanebut the handle is not closed, at which moment management power issupplied to the single board, related circuits like the IPMC, etc., arepowered on and start to work, while load power is not supplied, and thesingle board is not activated. After the handle is closed, the singleboard enters M2 state, IPMC detects, via the handle switch signal, thatthe handle is closed, and starts to announce to the Shelf Manager thatthe single board is in position, and requests the shelf manager toactivate the single board, when the request is permitted, the boardenters M3 state; in M3 state, IPMC negotiates power with Shelf Manager,after getting permission from the shelf manager, IPMC controls the powerconversion/control module to supply a load power, the other parts of thesingle board are powered normally; after the single board is activated,it enters M4 state, i.e. its normal operating state. Unplugging of thesingle board is the reverse of the plugging. In the unplugging process,the transition of the handle state is also a key element in thetransition of operating states of the single board.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of power supply to the RTM in the present ATCAsystem. The RTM power is supplied by the load power branch which issupplied by the FRB power conversion/control module, and via Zone 3connector to the RTM circuits, which include an RTM management circuitand an RTM load circuit. The processes of plugging/unplugging andpowering-on of the RTM are as follows:

In the process of hot swap of the single board, it is necessary to avoidcurrent rushes. The RTM current supplied by the FRB via Zone 3 connectorto the RTM is relatively high, and therefore, the RTM power supply needsto be cut off while the RTM is plugged in. One way is to plug in the FRBbefore plugging in the RTM. Other way is to plug in the RTM first withthe handle open, at this moment, since the IPMC of the FRB does notdetect that the handle is closed, it stays in M1 state; the powerconversion/control module does not supply load power, and therefore theRTM is not supplied with power. After the plugging and connection of theFRB and RTM are completed, the handle of the FRB is closed, and the IPMCstarts to communicate with the Shelf Manager via the IPMB. During thepower negotiation process, the IPMC considers requests for power supply,from both the FRB and RTM, after getting permission from the shelfmanager, it enables the load power “enabled” signal of the powerconversion/control module to permit it to supply the load power, andmeanwhile the RTM also obtains its power supply. In the process ofunplugging the RTM, the FRB handle needs to be opened first, the singleboard should be deactivated according to the deactivation stepsdescribed in FIG. 3, and the RTM can be normally unplugged, only afterboth the FRB load power and the RTM power supply are cut off.

The ATCA300 standard defines a telecommunication hardware platformarchitecture, which is stipulated by the PICMG based on the ATCAstandard for 300 mm-depth cabinets. In order to meet installingrequirements of 300 mm-depth cabinets, in the ATCA 300 standard, somemodification is made on the size of the FRB; the RTM in the ATCAstandard is removed; and a Front Transition Module (FTM) that hassimilar applications to the RTM is added. In the ATCA 300, the FRB andFTM are connected with the backplane via the Zone 3 connector of the FRBand the Zone4 connector of the FTM, as shown in the ATCA 300 boardscheme of FIG. 5.

As shown in FIG. 5, the FTM is substantially similar to the RTM in theATCA, except for its location in the shelf and the connection with theFRB. The power management for the FTM is also the same as that for theRTM, which is not elaborated here. In order to simplify the description,the RTM/FTM is used to represent the RTM or FTM in this description.

The FRB power conversion/control module supplies the FRB load power andRTM/FTM power, and does not support independent and flexible managementand control of power supply of the RTM/FTM, or hot swap. That is, in theprocess of plugging/unplugging the RTM/FTM, the FRB load power needs tobe cut off, which interrupts the operation of the FRB.

Additionally, in general, the FRB presets the RTM/FTM power supplyaccording to the design of the RTM. Therefore, the power may not beutilized efficiently according to the actual power consumption of thedifferent RTM/FTMs plugged; and the power resource is wasted.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the present invention provide an ATCA system and a methodfor managing and controlling a power supply of an ATCA system, which canrealize independent management and control on a power supply of RTM/FTMof the ATCA.

The ATCA system includes: a Rear Transition Module (RTM)/FrontTransition Module (FTM); a Front Board (FRB), including a first powerconversion/control module that provides a power to the FRB and theRTM/FTM; a control circuit, adapted to output a control signal; and asecond power conversion/control module, adapted to provide a power tothe RTM/FTM according to the control signal.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a method formanaging and controlling a power supply of an Advanced Telecom ComputingArchitecture system, the system includes an FRB and an RTM/FTM, the FRBsupplies a power to the RTM/FTM, and a control circuit, adapted tooutput control signal. The method includes: receiving the controlsignal; and supplying the power supplied by the FRB to the RTM/FTM,according to the control signal.

According to the technical solutions, in the ATCA system, the supplyingpower to the RTM/FTM is controlled by the control signal, and only whenthe control signal permit supplying a power, the power is supplied tothe RTM/FTM. Therefore, with the embodiments of the present invention,the supplying power to the RTM/FTM can be independently controlled.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows power management and control of ATCA single board in theprior art;

FIG. 2 shows FRB and RTM of ATCA in the prior art;

FIG. 3 shows operating state transition of ATCA single board in theprior art;

FIG. 4 shows the supplying power to the RTM of ATCA in the prior art;

FIG. 5 is an exemplary schematic diagram of an ATCA300 board in theprior art;

FIG. 6 is a general exemplary flowchart of a method for power managementand control of an ATCA system according to an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 7 is a general exemplary structure diagram of a device for powermanagement and control of an ATCA system according to an embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a method for power management and control forthe ATCA system according to a first embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 9 is a structure diagram of a device for power management andcontrol for the ATCA system according to the first embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a method for power management and control forRTM of the ATCA according to a second embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 11 is a structure diagram of a device for power management andcontrol of the ATCA system according to the second embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 12 is a flowchart of a method for power management and control ofthe ATCA system according to the third embodiment of the presentinvention; and

FIG. 13 is a structure diagram of a device for power management andcontrol of the ATCA system according to the third embodiment of thepresent invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference tothe drawings.

According to the embodiments of the present invention, in the ATCAsystem, the power supplied to the RTM/FTM is divided to obtain a loadpower, so that the supply of the load power having a big current iscontrolled by a control signal; only when the control signal permitssupplying the load power, the load circuit of the RTM/FTM is powered, torealize independent supply and control of the load power of the RTM/FTM,and to support hot swap of the RTM/FTM without interfering with normaloperation of the FRB.

FIG. 6 is a general exemplary flowchart of a method for power managementand control of an ATCA system according to an embodiment of theinvention. As shown in FIG. 6, the method includes:

Step 610: A load power from the power supplied to RTM/FTM is separated.

Step 620: The supplying the load power to a load circuit of RTM/FTM iscontrolled according to a user request.

FIG. 7 is a general exemplary structure diagram of a device for powermanagement and control of an ATCA system according to an embodiment ofthe invention. As shown in FIG. 7, the device includes a first powerconversion/control module 701, a second power conversion/control module702, and a control circuit 703.

In this device, the first power conversion/control module 701 is adaptedto supply the load power to the FRB and a power to the RTM/FTM. Thesecond power conversion/control module 702 is adapted to receive thepower supplied to RTM/FTM, and supplying the load power to RTM/FTM underthe control of the control circuit 703 according to a user request. Thecontrol circuit 703 is adapted to receive the user request, and sendcontrol signal to the second power conversion/control module 702according to the request, to control the supply of the load power.

The above recites generally the method and devices for ATCA system powermanagement and control according to the embodiments of the presentinvention. More details about implementations of the present inventionare given by reference to the following embodiments.

As the compositions of the RTM and FTM are very similar, and the modulesinvolved in the embodiment of the present invention have the samecomposition, for example, the RTM will be used for illustrating thedetailed implementations of the present invention. In the followingembodiment, the original power conversion/control module in the FRB isthe first power conversion/control module 701 of the device shown inFIG. 7.

First Embodiment

In this embodiment, the second power conversion/control module is addedin a single board and is provided in the RTM, and is referred to as apower conversion/control module. A handle switch is installed at thebottom handle of the RTM, to control the supplying power to the loadcircuit of the RTM.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a method for power management and control ofthe ATCA system according to the first embodiment of the presentinvention. As shown in FIG. 8, the method includes:

Step 801: The power supplied to the RTM is divided into a managementpower and a load power, the load power is input to the powerconversion/control module of the RTM, and the management power is inputto a Module Management Controller (MMC) of the RTM.

Step 802: The MMC of RTM determines whether to request for activatingthe RTM according to a user request. If yes, step 803 and its followingsteps are executed; otherwise step 811 and its following steps areexecuted.

In this step, the MMC determines whether to request for activating theRTM according to a user request, including that: by detecting the handleswitch signal coupled to the handle switch, the MMC can recognize anopen/close state of the bottom handle; in this embodiment, the bottomhandle being closed indicates that the RTM is requested to be activated,i.e., the load circuit of the RTM needs to be supplied with the loadpower, and the bottom handle being open indicates the RTM is notrequested to be activated, i.e., the load circuit of the RTM does notneed to be supplied with the load power.

Step 803: The MMC communicates with the IPMC of the FRB via the IPMB,and requests for supplying the load power to the RTM.

Step 804: The IPMC of the FRB determines whether the load power demandof the RTM has been allotted in advance. If yes, step 808 and itsfollowing steps are executed; otherwise step 805 and its following stepsare executed.

In this embodiment, the load power “enabled” signal is a control signalthat controls the power conversion/control module to supply a loadpower. When it is enabled, it is indicated that the powerconversion/control module is permitted to supply the load power;otherwise, the module is not permitted to supply the load power.

Step 805: The IPMC of the FRB and MMC of the RTM interact on the loadpower demand of the RTM via the IPMB.

In the step, as the IPMC of the FRB does not determine the demand of theRTM on the load power in advance, both of them interact on the loadpower demand in this step.

Step 806: the IPMC of the FRB negotiates about the power demand via theIPMB with the shelf management controller of the shelf manager.

In this step, the IPMC of the FRB negotiates about the power demand withthe shelf manager once again, based on requirement data for the loadpower of the RTM which is obtained through the interaction with the MMCof the RTM.

Step 807: The shelf management controller of the shelf manager permitsthe power demand, and the IPMC of the FRB increase distribution of theload power of the RTM.

Step 808: The IPMC of the FRB notifies the MMC via the IPMB of thepermission to supply the RTM with the load power.

Step 809: The MMC enables the load power “enabled” signal, and outputsit to the power conversion/control module of the RTM.

Step 810: The power conversion/control module supplies the load power,the RTM is activated, and the process is terminated.

Step 811: The MMC does not enable the load power “enabled” signal.

Step 812: The power conversion/control module does not supply the loadpower, the RTM is not activated, and the process is terminated.

As can be seen from the above process of method, steps 802-812 aredetailed operations of step 620 in the general process of the methodshown in FIG. 6. In this embodiment, it is determined whether the powerconversion/control module of the RTM is permitted to supply the loadpower, according to the state of the handle switch and the result ofinteraction with the IPMC, so as to control the output of the big loadcurrent. Additionally, in this embodiment, the load power demand of theRTM is determined, based on the negotiation between the IPMC and MMC,which helps to improve the exploitation efficiency of the shelf power.

As a matter of fact, in actual practices, whether the RTM is permittedto be supplied with the load power may also be determined by the MMC,based only on the state of the handle switch. In this case, when, atfirst, FRB negotiated about the power with the shelf manager, thenegotiation needs to include the negotiation about the load power of theRTM. The operations of steps 803-808 may be omitted; and steps 809-810may be executed if the signal received in step 802 requests foractivating the RTM.

In this embodiment, the manner of determining whether the RTM isrequired to be activated based on a user request is to sense the userrequest by the handle switch. There are also other manners to performthe function, for example, a manner of the user inputting a controlcommand to the IPMC of the FRB to request for activating the RTM. Inthis case, steps 803-808 can be omitted.

The above is the process of the method for power management and controlof the ATCA system according to this embodiment. This embodiment alsoprovides a device for power management and control of the ATCA systemwhich can implement the above method.

FIG. 9 is a structure diagram of a device for power management andcontrol of the ATCA system according to the first embodiment. As shownin FIG. 9, the device includes an FRB, an RTM, and a shelf manager. TheFRB includes an IPMC, a power conversion/control module, a handleswitch, a load circuit, and a Zone 3 connector. The RTM includes an MMC,a power conversion/control module, a handle switch, a load circuit and aZone 3 connector. The power conversion/control module in the RTM is animplementation of the second power conversion/control module 702 of thedevice shown in FIG. 7. The MMC and handle switch constitute the controlcircuit 703 of the device shown in FIG. 7.

In this device, the load power supplied by the power conversion/controlmodule of the FRB is divided to form an RTM power supply which issupplied to the RTM via the Zone 3 connector. After entering the RTM,the power is divided into RTM management power and RTM load power. TheRTM management power is supplied, without control, to management relatedcircuits of the RTM such as the MMC. The RTM load power is supplied to aload circuit of the RTM after passing through the powerconversion/control module added on the RTM. The supply of the load poweris controlled by the MMC. The control signal is a load power “enabled”signal output from the MMC to the power conversion/control module of theRTM. Only when the MMC has enabled the load power “enabled” signal ofthe power conversion/control module in the RTM, can the load circuit ofthe RTM can obtain the RTM load power. Additionally, whether the MMCoutputs the load power “enabled” signal is controlled based on thedetection of the handle switch signal coupled to the handle switch bythe MMC. The handle switch may be installed at the top handle or thebottom handle of the RTM. The MMC in the RTM can recognize theopen/close state of the handle by detecting the handle switch signal,and then can determine whether to output the load power “enabled” signalbased on the state of the handle.

In this device, the supply of the load power in the powerconversion/control module in the RTM may also be controlled with theassistance of I the PMC. That is, the MMC, the handle switch, and theIPMC altogether constitute a control circuit of the system shown in FIG.7. In this case, in the process of operating state transition of theRTM, the MMC communicates with the IPMC of the FRB via the IPMB providedby the Zone 3 connector, and determines whether to output the load power“enabled” signal based on the result of the communication.

In the above device embodiment, the management power of the RTM isobtained by dividing the load power supplied by the powerconversion/control module of the FRB. In actual practices, themanagement power may also be obtained by dividing the management powersupplied by the power conversion/control module of the FRB, and issupplied to the MMC of the RTM via the Zone 3 connector.

In the device shown in FIG. 9, user request information is provided bythe state of the handle switch, and it can also be provided in the waythat a user inputs a control command to the IMPC. In this case, thecontrol circuit 703 of the device shown in FIG. 7 is constituted by theIPMC and MMC of the device shown in FIG. 9. The user request informationis sent to the MMC by the IPMC before the MMC controls the supply of theload power in the power conversion/control module of RTM based on theuser request.

With the above method and device, the RTM can be plugged/unplugged inthe case of the FRB operating normally. The detailed process of theplugging/unplugging is described as follows.

(I). Plug in the RTM when the FRB operates normally.

1. The RTM is plugged in the slot position, management related circuitsof the RTM, including the MMC, are supplied with the RTM managementpower and are powered normally, while a load circuit of the RTM is notsupplied with the load power of the RTM, and the RTM is in the M1 stateof the single board being inactivated.

2. The handle of the RTM is closed; after the MMC of the RTM detectsthat the handle is closed, it communicates with the IPMC of the FRB viathe IPMB, interacts on operating state management of the RTM, andrequests to supply the RTM load power.

3. If FRB is plugged into the ATCA shelf initially, and an intelligentmanagement controller of the FRB negotiates about power demand with theshelf management controller, the load power demand of the plugged RTM isallotted in advance, then the process skips to step 4; otherwise, theMMC of the RTM needs to interact about the load power demand of the RTMwith the IPMC of the FRB via the IPMB. Based on the load power demanddata for the RTM, the IPMC of FRB negotiates via the IPMB with the shelfmanagement controller about the power demand, again, and increasedistribution of the RTM load power upon getting permission from theshelf management controller.

4. After getting permission from the IPMC of the FRB, the MMC of the RTMenables the load power “enabled” signal of the power conversion/controlmodule of the RTM, the RTM load power is supplied normally, the RTM loadcircuit obtains the supply of the RTM load power, the RTM is activatedand enters M4 state of normal operation.

In the above process of plug in the RTM, steps 2-3 may be altered as: auser inputs to IPMC a control command that requests for activating theRTM, the IPMC interacts via the IPMB with the MMC about operating statemanagement of the RTM.

(II). Unplug the RTM when both the FRB and RTM operate normally.

1. The handle of the RTM opens, the MMC of R the TM communicates via Ithe PMB with the IPMC of the FRB about operating state management of theRTM, and request for unplugging the RTM.

2. After getting permission from the IPMC of the FRB, the MMC of the RTMcontrols the power conversion/control module of the RTM with the loadpower “enabled” signal of the RTM, turns off the supply of the RTM loadpower, and the RTM enters M1 state of single board being inactivated. Ifnecessary, at this time, the IPMC of the FRB can also negotiate with theshelf management controller via the IPMB about the power demand, andrelease the load power demand of the RTM, so as to improve theexploitation efficiency of the shelf power resource.

3. Unplug the RTM.

As can be seen from the above, by implementing the method and device ofthe embodiment, the RTM management power and the RTM load power areseparated, so that the RTM load power having a big current is suppliedunder control, and can be turned off while the RTM is beingplugged/unplugged, to support the hot swap of the RTM. Additionally, themethod and device of the embodiment also supports negotiation about loadpower demand of the RTM in the process of plugging/unplugging the RTM,which achieves distribution and release of the power resource engaged bythe RTM load power, and improves the exploitation efficiency of powersupply.

Second Embodiment

In this embodiment, the second power conversion/control module added inthe single board is provided in the FRB, and is referred to as a loadpower conversion/control module of the RTM. A handle switch is added atthe top handle of the RTM to control whether to supply power to the loadcircuit of the RTM.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart of the method for power management and control ofthe ATCA system of the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 10, themethod includes:

Step 1001: The power supplied to the RTM is divided into managementpower and load power, and the load power is input to the load powerconversion/control module of the RTM, and the management power is inputto the MMC of the RTM.

Step 1002: The MMC of the RTM determines whether to request foractivating the RTM based on a user request. If yes, step 1003 and itsfollowing steps are executed; otherwise step 1010 and its followingsteps are executed.

In this step, the MMC determining whether to request for activating theRTM based on a user request is that: by detecting the handle switchsignal coupled to the handle switch, the MMC can recognize theopen/close state of the top handle; in this embodiment, the top handlebeing closed indicates that the RTM is requested to be activated, i.e.,the load circuit of the RTM is expected to be supplied with the loadpower, and the top handle being open indicates that the RTM is notrequested to be activated, i.e., the RTM load circuit is not expected tosupplied with the load power.

Step 1003: The MMC communicates with the IPMC of the FRB via the IPMB,and requests for supplying the load power of the RTM.

Step 1004: The IPMC of the FRB determines whether the load power demandof the RTM has been allotted in advance. If yes, step 1008 and itsfollowing steps are executed; otherwise step 1005 and its followingsteps are executed.

Step 1005: The IPMC of the FRB and the MMC of the RTM interact on theload power demand of the RTM via the IPMB.

In this step, since the IPMC of the FRB does not determine therequirement for load power of the RTM in advance, they need to interacton the load power demand in this step.

Step 1006: The IPMC of the FRB negotiates about power demand via theIPMB with the shelf management controller of the shelf manager.

In this step, the IPMC of the FRB negotiates about power demand with theshelf manager once again based on the load power demand data for theRTM, which is obtained through the interaction with the MMC of the RTM.

Step 1007: The shelf management controller of the shelf manager permitsthe power demand, and the IPMC of the FRB increases distribution of theRTM load power.

Step 1008: The IPMC of the FRB enables the load power “enabled” signal,and outputs it to the load power conversion/control module of the RTM.

In this embodiment, the control signal for controlling the powerconversion/control module to provide the load power is the same as thatin the first embodiment, and will be not elaborated here.

Step 1009: The load power conversion/control module of the RTM suppliesthe load power, the RTM is activated, and the process is terminated.

Step 1010: The IPMC of the FRB does not enable the load power “enabled”signal.

Step 1011: The load power conversion/control module of the RTM does notsupply the load power, the RTM is not activated, and the process isterminated.

As can be seen from the above process of method, steps 1002-1011 are thedetailed operations of step 620 in the general method flowchart shown inFIG. 6. In this embodiment, whether the load power conversion/controlmodule of the RTM is permitted to supply the load power is determinedbased on the state of the open/close state of the top handle and theresult of interaction with the IPMC, so as to control the output of thebig load current. Further, in this embodiment, the load power demand ofthe RTM is determined by the negotiation between the IPMC and the MMC,which helps to improve the exploitation efficiency of shelf powerresource.

In this embodiment, a manner of the determining whether to request foractivating the RTM based on a user request in the step 1002 is to sensethe user request by use of the handle switch. There are also othermanners to perform this function, for example, a user inputs controlcommand to the IPMC of the FRB to request for activating the RTM in thestep 1002. In this case, steps 1003-1007 may be omitted.

The above is the process of the method for power management and controlof the ATCA system according to this embodiment. This embodiment furtherprovides a device of power management and control of the ATCA system toimplement the above method.

FIG. 11 is a structure diagram of a device for power management andcontrol of the ATCA system according to the second embodiment. As shownin FIG. 11, the device includes the FRB, the RTM and the shelf manager.The FRB includes an IPMC, a power conversion/control module, a handleswitch, a load circuit, a Zone 3 connector and a conversion/controlmodule for RTM load power. The RTM includes the MMC, a handle switch, anRTM load circuit and the Zone 3 connector. The conversion/control modulefor the RTM load power is an embodiment of the second powerconversion/control module 702 of the device shown in FIG. 7. The IPMC,MMC and the handle switch constitute the control circuit 703 in thedevice shown in FIG. 7.

In this device, the load power supplied by the power conversion/controlmodule in FRB is divided to form a power of the RTM. This power of theRTM is divided into RTM management power and RTM load power. The RTMmanagement power is supplied, without control, to management relatedcircuits of the RTM, such as the MMC, via the Zone 3 connector. The RTMload power is supplied to a load circuit of the RTM after passingthrough the conversion/control module for the RTM load power which isadded in the FRB. The supply of the load power is controlled by theIPMC. The control signal is a load power “enabled” signal output fromthe IPMC to the conversion/control module for the RTM load power. Onlywhen the IPMC has enabled the load power “enabled” signal of theconversion/control module for the RTM load power, can the load circuitof the RTM get the RTM load power. Additionally, whether the IPMCoutputs the load power “enabled” signal is controlled based on detectionof the handle switch signal coupled to the handle switch by the MMC. Thehandle switch can be installed at the top handle or the bottom handle ofthe RTM. The MMC in the RTM can recognize the open/close state of thehandle by detecting the handle switch signal. Based on the open/closestate, it then communicates with the IPMC of the FRB via the IPMBprovided by the Zone 3 connector, and informs the IPMC whether to outputthe load power “enabled” signal.

In the above embodiment of the device, the management power of the RTMis obtained by dividing the load power supplied by the powerconversion/control module of the FRB. In actual practices, themanagement power of the RTM can also be obtained by dividing themanagement power supplied by the power conversion/control module of theFRB, and be supplied to the MMC of the RTM via the Zone 3 connector.

In the above device, the user request information is provided by thestate of the handle switch, but it can also be provided in the mannerthat a user inputs control command to the IMPC. In this case, thecontrol circuit 703 of the device shown in FIG. 7 is constituted by theIPMC and MMC of the device shown in FIG. 11. The IPMC controls thesupply of the load power in the RTM power conversion/control modulebased on the user request.

With the above method and device, the RTM can be plugged/unplugged inthe case that the FRB operates normally. The detailed process of theplugging/unplugging is described as follows.

(I). Plug in the RTM when the FRB operates normally.

1. The RTM is plugged in the slot position, management related circuitsof the RTM, such as the MMC, are supplied with the RTM management powerand are powered normally, while at this moment, the load circuit of theRTM is not supplied with the load power of the RTM, and the RTM is inthe M1 state of the single board being inactivated.

2. The handle of the RTM is closed; after the MMC of the RTM detectsthat the handle is closed, it communicates with the IPMC of the FRB viathe IPMB, and interacts on the operating state management of the RTM,and requests for supplying the load power of the RTM.

3. If when FRB is initially plugged into the ATCA shelf and theintelligent management controller of the FRB negotiates about the powerdemand with the shelf management controller, the load power demand ofthe plugged RTM is allotted in advance, then skip to step 4. Otherwise,the MMC of the RTM needs to interact about load power demand of the RTMwith the IPMC of the FRB via the IPMB. Based on the demand data for theRTM load power which is obtained by the interaction, the IPMC of the FRBnegotiates about power demand via the IPMB with the shelf managementcontroller again, and increases distribution of the RTM load power upongetting permission from the shelf management controller.

4. The IPMC of the FRB enables the RTM load power “enabled” signal, theRTM load power is supplied by the RTM load power conversion/controlmodule, the RTM load circuit obtains the supply of the RTM load power,the RTM is activated and enters M4 state of normal operation.

In the above process of plugging the RTM, steps 2-3 can be altered as: auser inputting to IPMC the control command to request for activating theRTM, the IPMC communicates via the IPMB with the MMC and interacts onoperating state management of the RTM.

(II). Unplugging the RTM when both the FRB and RTM operate normally.

1. The handle of the RTM is open, the MMC of the RTM communicates viaIPMB with the IPMC of the FRB and interacts about the operating statemanagement of the RTM, and requests for unplugging the RTM.

2. The IPMC of the FRB controls the RTM load power conversion/controlmodule with the RTM load power “enabled” signal, turns off the supply ofthe RTM load power, and the RTM enters M1 state of single board beinginactivated. If necessary, at this time, the IPMC of the FRB can alsonegotiate about power demand with the shelf management controller viaIPMB, release the RTM load power demand, so as to improve theexploitation efficiency of the shelf power resource.

3. The RTM is unplugged.

As can be seen from the above, the difference of this embodiment fromthe first embodiment is that, the power conversion/control module thatcontrols the supply of the RTM load power is located in the FRB, andtherefore there're also modifications on forming control signal of thepower conversion/control module. Also, the RTM load power having bigcurrent can be supplied under control, and the hot swap of the RTM canbe supported in the case that the FRB operates normally. Additionally,the negotiation about the RTM load power demand can be also supported,so that the power resource can be efficiently exploited.

Third Embodiment

In this embodiment, the second power conversion/control module added inthe single board is provided in the FRB, controls the supply of the RTMload power and the RTM management power, and is referred to as an RTMpower conversion/control module. A handle switch is added at the tophandle of R the TM and controls whether to supply power to the loadcircuit of the RTM.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart of the method for power management and control ofthe ATCA system according to the third embodiment of the presentinvention. As shown in FIG. 12, the method includes:

Step 1201: The power supplied to the RTM is input to the RTM powerconversion/control module, which divides the power into the RTM loadpower and the RTM management power.

Step 1202: The IPMC of the FRB detects the state of the RTM “inposition” signal, and determines whether the RTM is plugged in position.If yes, step 1203 and its following steps are executed; otherwise, step1214 is executed.

In this embodiment, an RTM “in position signal” is added, and issupplied by the RTM via the Zone 3 connector to the IPMC of the FRB. TheIPMC of the FRB can recognize whether the RTM is plugged in by detectingthe state of the “in position” signal.

Step 1203: The IPMC of the FRB enables the RTM management power“enabled” signal, and output this signal to the RTM powerconversion/control module, which supplies the RTM management power tothe MMC of the RTM.

Step 1204: The MMC of the RTM determines whether to request foractivating the RTM according to a user request. If yes, step 1205 andits following steps are executed; otherwise step 1212 and its followingsteps are executed.

In this step, the determining whether to request for activating the RTMaccording to a user request is the same as that of the secondembodiment, and will not be elaborated here any more.

Step 1205: The MMC communicates with the IPMC of the FRB via the IPMB,and requests for supplying the RTM load power.

Step 1206: The IPMC of the FRB determines whether the RTM load powerdemand of the RTM has been allotted in advance. If yes, step 1210 andits following steps are executed; otherwise step 1207 and its followingsteps are executed.

Step 1207: The IPMC of the FRB and the MMC of the RTM interact on theload power demand of the RTM via the IPMB.

In this step, as the IPMC of the FRB does not determine the requirementof load power of the RTM in advance, both of them interact on the loadpower demand in this step.

Step 1208: The IPMC of the FRB negotiates on power demand via the IPMBwith the shelf management controller of the shelf manager.

In this step, the IPMC of the FRB negotiates about power demand with theshelf manager once again based on the demand data for the RTM load powerwhich is obtained through the interaction with the MMC of the RTM.

Step 1209: The shelf management controller of the shelf manager permitsthe power demand; and the IPMC of FRB increase distribution of the RTMload power.

Step 1210: The IPMC of the FRB enables the load power “enabled” signal,and outputs it to the RTM power conversion/control module.

Step 1211: The RTM power conversion/control module supplies the loadpower, the RTM is activated, and the process is terminated.

Step 1212: The IPMC of the FRB does not enable the load power “enabled”signal.

Step 1213: The RTM power conversion/control module does not supply theload power, the RTM is not activated, and the process is terminated.

Step 1214: The IPMC of the FRB does not enable the management power“enabled” signal, the RTM power conversion/control module does notsupply the management power, the RTM is not plugged in, and the processis terminated.

As can be seen from the above process of method, steps 1203-1212 aredetailed operations of step 620 in the general method flowchart shown inFIG. 6. In this embodiment, whether the RTM power conversion/controlmodule is permitted to supply the load power is determined based on theopen/close state of the top handle and the result of interaction withthe IPMC, so as to control the output of the big load current.Additionally, in this embodiment, the RTM load power demand isdetermined based on the negotiation between the IPMC and MMC, so thatthe exploitation efficiency of the shelf power resource can be improved.

Moreover, in this embodiment, the supply of the RTM management power iscontrolled, which further improves the exploitation efficiency of thepower resource and safety of the device.

In this embodiment, in step 1204, a manner of the determining whether torequest for activating the RTM based on a user request is to sense theuser request via the handle switch. There are also other manners toperform the function, for example, in step 1204, a user inputs a controlcommand to the IPMC of the FRB to request for activating the RTM. Inthis case, steps 1205-1209 can be omitted.

The above is the process of the method for power management and controlof the ATCA system according to this embodiment. This embodiment furtherprovides a device of power management and control of the ATCA system toimplement the above method.

FIG. 13 is a structure diagram of a device for power management andcontrol of the ATCA system according to the third embodiment of thepresent invention. As shown in FIG. 13, the device includes the FRB, theRTM and the shelf manager. The FRB includes an IPMC, a powerconversion/control module, a handle switch, a load circuit, Zone 3connector, and RTM power conversion/control module. The RTM includes anMMC, a handle switch, an RTM load circuit, and a Zone 3 connector. TheRTM power conversion/control module is an implementation of the secondpower conversion/control module 702 of the device shown in FIG. 7. TheIPMC, MMC and the handle switch constitute an implementation of thecontrol circuit 703 of the device shown in FIG. 7.

In this device, the load power supplied by the power conversion/controlmodule of FRB is divided to form RTM power which is supplied to an RTMpower conversion/control module. The RTM power conversion/control modulesupplies the divided RTM management power and RTM load power. The supplyof the divided RTM management power and RTM load power are under controlby the control signals which are output from the IPMC of the FRB to theRTM power conversion/control module, including the RTM management power“enabled” signal and the RTM load power “enabled” signal. The RTMmanagement power enters the RTM via the Zone3 connector and then issupplied to the MMC directly. The RTM load power enters the RTM via theZone3 connector and then is supplied to the RTM load circuit directly.Additionally, in this device, an RTM “in position signal” is provided,and is supplied by the RTM via the Zone 3 connector to the IPMC of theFRB. The IPMC can recognize whether the RTM is plugged in acorresponding slot by detecting the state of the “in position” signal,and in turn controls whether to enable the RTM management power“enabled” signal. The enabling control of the RTM load power “enabled”signal is the same as that of the second embodiment, and will not beelaborated here any more.

In the implementation of the device according to this embodiment, themanagement power of the RTM is obtained by dividing the load powersupplied by the power conversion/control module of FRB and passing itthrough the RTM power conversion/control module. In actual practices,the management power of the RTM can also be obtained by dividing themanagement power supplied by the power conversion/control module of FRBand passing it through the RTM power conversion/control module.

In this device, the user request information is provided by means of thestates of the handle switch state, but it can also be provided in themanner of the user inputting control command to the IMPC. In this case,the control circuit 703 of the device shown in FIG. 7 is constituted bythe IPMC and MMC of the device shown in FIG. 13. The IPMC controls thesupply of load power of the RTM power conversion/control module based onthe user request.

With the above method and device, the RTM can be plugged/unplugged inthe case of the FRB operating normally. The detailed process of theplugging/unplugging is described as follows.

(I). Plug in the RTM when the FRB operates normally.

1. The RTM is plugged in the slot position, the IPMC of the FRB of thecorresponding slot detects the RTM “in position” signal and recognizesthat the RTM is plugged in. The IPMC of the FRB controls the RTM powerconversion/control module to supply the RTM management power, byenabling the RTM management “enabled” signal. The management relatedcircuits of RTM, such as the MMC, are supplied with the RTM managementpower, while the load circuit of the RTM is not supplied with the RTMload power, and the RTM is in the M1 state of the single board beinginactivated.

2. The handle of the RTM is closed; after the MMC of the RTM detectsthat the handle is closed, it communicates with the IPMC of the FRB viathe IPMB, interacts about the RTM operating state management, andrequests for supplying the RTM load power.

3. If when the FRB is initially plugged into the ATCA shelf and theintelligent management controller of the FRB negotiates about powerdemand with the shelf management controller, the load power demand ofthe plugged RTM is allotted in advance, then skip to step 4; otherwise,the MMC of RTM needs to interact about the RTM load power demand withthe IPMC of the FRB via the IPMB. Based on the demand data for the RTMload power obtained through the interaction, the IPMC of the FRBnegotiates about power demand via the IPMB with the shelf managementcontroller once again, and increases distribution of the RTM load powerupon getting permission from the shelf management controller.

4. The IPMC of the FRB enables the RTM load power “enabled” signal, theRTM power conversion/control module supplies the RTM load power, the RTMload circuit is supplied with the RTM load power, the RTM is activatedand enters M4 state of normal operation.

In the above process of plugging the RTM, steps 2-3 may be altered as: auser inputting to the IPMC a control command that requests foractivating the RTM, and the IPMC communicates via the IPMB with the MMCand interacts about the RTM operating state management.

(II). Unplug the RTM when both the FRB and RTM operate normally.

1. The handle of the RTM is open, the RTM power conversion/controlmodule communicates via the IPMB with the IPMC of the FRB and interactsabout the RTM operating state management, and requests for unpluggingthe RTM.

2. The IPMC of the FRB controls the RTM power conversion/control moduleby use of the RTM load power “enabled” signal, and turns off the supplyof the RTM load power; and the RTM enters M1 state of the single boardbeing inactivated. If necessary, at this time, the IPMC of the FRB canalso negotiate about power demand with the shelf management controllervia the IPMB, release the load power demand of the RTM, so as to improvethe exploitation efficiency of the shelf power resource.

3. The RTM is unplugged. By detecting the state of the “in position”signal, the IPMC of the FRB of the corresponding slot recognizes thatthe RTM is unplugged, and controls the RTM power conversion/controlmodule to turn off the supply of the RTM management power by use of theRTM management power “enabled” signal.

As can be seen from the above, this embodiment controls the supply ofthe load power in the same manner as the second embodiment, can achievethe purpose that the RTM load power having a big current is suppliedunder control, and supports hot swap of the RTM in the case of the FRBoperating normally. Additionally, this embodiment can support thenegotiation about the RTM load power demand, and efficiently exploit thepower resource. The difference between this embodiment and the secondembodiment is an additional control of supply of the RTM managementpower, so as to further improve the exploitation efficiency of the powerresource and the safety of the device.

The above three embodiments all explain, by the example of the RTM,detailed implementations of the methods and devices for power managementand control according to the present invention. The above stated methodsand devices for power management and control are also applicable for thefront transition module (FTM) in the ATCA 300 standard, to manage thepower supply of the FTM in the ATCA 300 standard.

The FTM load power or FTM management power in the ATCA 300 standard canbe managed and controlled, in the case that management related circuits,such as a handle switch, MMC, etc., are added to the FTM in the ATCA 300standard; various types of power conversion/control modules are added tothe FTM or the FRB in the ATCA 300 standard according to differentapplication schemes, for example, a power conversion/control module isadded to the FTM in the ATCA 300 standard, or a load powerconversion/control module of the FTM is added to FRB, or an FTM powerconversion/control module is added in FRB; and, through the Zone 3connector of the FRB and the Zone 4 connector of the FTM and thebackplane between them, the power, management and control signal of theFRB and the RTM of the ATCA in the original scheme that are coupledthrough the Zone 3 connector are supplied.

The above merely illustrates preferred embodiments of the presentinvention, and is not intended to limit the scope of the presentinvention. Any modification, equivalent substitution and improvementwithin the spirit and scope of the present invention are intended to beincluded in the scope of the present invention.

1. An Advanced Telecom Computing Architecture (ATCA) system, the systemcomprising: a Rear Transition Module (RTM) or Front Transition Module(FTM); a Front Board (FRB) comprising a first power conversion/controlmodule that supplies power to the FRB and the RTM or FTM; a controlcircuit configured to output a control signal; and a second powerconversion/control module configured to supply power from the firstpower conversion/control module to the RTM or FTM according to thecontrol signal.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the power supplied bythe first power conversion/control module to the RTM or FTM comprisesmanagement power and load power, the load power is supplied to thesecond power conversion/control module, and the second powerconversion/control module supplies the load power to the RTM or FTMaccording to the control signal.
 3. The system of claim 2, wherein thecontrol circuit comprises: a handle switch configured to output a signalrequesting activation of the RTM or FTM when the RTM or FTM is pluggedinto a corresponding slot on the FRB and a handle of the RTM or FTM isclosed; a Module Management Controller (MMC) configured to output asignal requesting supply of load power to the RTM or FTM according tothe signal requesting activation of the RTM or FTM, and to output to thesecond power conversion/control module the control signal that permitssupplying the load power after getting permission; and an IntelligentPlatform Management Controller (IPMC) configured to output to the MMCthe control signal that permits supplying the load power, afterreceiving from the MMC the signal requesting supply of load power to theRTM or FTM.
 4. The system of claim 2, wherein the control circuitcomprises: an Intelligent Platform Management Controller (IPMC)configured to receive a control command from a user, and output acontrol signal requesting activation of the RTM or FTM according to thecontrol command; and a Module Management Controller (MMC) configured tooutput to the second power conversion/control module the control signalthat permits supplying the load power according to the control signalrequesting activation of the RTM or FTM.
 5. The system of claim 3,wherein the second power conversion/control module is located in the RTMor FTM.
 6. The system of claim 2, wherein the control circuit comprises:a handle switch configured to output a signal requesting activation ofthe RTM or FTM when the RTM or FTM is plugged into a corresponding sloton the FRB and a handle of the RTM or FTM is closed; a Module ManagementController (MMC) configured to output a signal requesting supply of loadpower according to the signal requesting activation of the RTM or FTM;and an Intelligent Platform Management Controller (IPMC) configured tooutput to the second power conversion/control module the control signalthat permits supplying the load power according to the signal requestingsupply of load power.
 7. The system of claim 2, wherein the controlcircuit comprises: an Intelligent Platform Management Controller (IPMC)configured to receive a control command from a user, and output to thesecond power conversion/control module the control signal that permitssupplying the load power according to the control command.
 8. The systemof claim 6, wherein the second power conversion/control module islocated in the FRB.
 9. The system of claim 1, wherein the second powerconversion/control module divides the power supplied by the first powerconversion/control module to the RTM or FTM into management power andload power, and supplies the management power and the load power to theRTM or FTM according to the control signal.
 10. The system of claim 9,wherein the second power conversion/control module is located in theFRB, the control circuit comprises an Intelligent Platform ManagementController (IPMC) configured to output the control signal that permitssupplying the management power, if it is determined that the RTM or FTMis plugged in a corresponding slot on the FRB according to a state of“in position” signal in the RTM or FTM, and the second powerconversion/control module supplies the management power to the RTM orFTM according to the control signal that permits supplying themanagement power.
 11. The system of claim 10, wherein the controlcircuit further comprises: a handle switch configured to output a signalrequesting activation of the RTM or FTM when the RTM or FTM is pluggedinto the corresponding slot on the FRB and a handle of the RTM or FTM isclosed; and a Module Management Controller (MMC) configured to output asignal requesting supply of load power according to the signalrequesting activation of the RTM or FTM, wherein the IPMC outputs thecontrol signal that permits supplying the load power according to thesignal requesting supply of load power, and the second powerconversion/control module supplies the load power to the RTM or FTMaccording to the control signal that permits supplying the load power.12. The system of claim 10, wherein the IPMC receives a control commandfrom a user, and outputs the control signal that permits supplying theload power according to the control command, and the second powerconversion/control module supplies the load power to the RTM or FTMaccording to the control signal that permits supplying the load power.13. The system of claim 3, further comprising: a shelf managerconfigured to negotiate with the IPMC about requirement of the loadpower, wherein the IPMC interacts with the MMC about requirement of theload power of the RTM or FTM, negotiates with the shelf manager aboutrequirement of load power according to obtained requirement data for theload power, and increases distribution of the load power of the RTM orFTM after obtaining permission from the shelf manager.
 14. A method forpower management and control of an Advanced Telecom ComputingArchitecture (ATCA) system comprising a Front Board (FRB), a RearTransition Module (RTM) or Front Transition Module (FTM), wherein theFRB supplies power to the RTM or FTM, and a control circuit configuredto output a control signal, the method comprising: receiving the controlsignal from the control circuit; and supplying power from the FRB to theRTM or FTM according to the control signal.
 15. The method of claim 14,wherein the power supplied by the FRB to the RTM or FTM comprisesmanagement power and load power, and the method further comprises:requesting the FRB to supply the load power when the RTM or FTM isplugged into a corresponding slot on the FRB and a handle of the RTM orFTM is closed; and outputting the control signal if the FRB permitssupplying the load power.
 16. The method of claim 14, wherein the powersupplied by the FRB to the RTM or FTM comprises management power andload power, and the method further comprises outputting the controlsignal that permits supplying the load power when a user inputs acontrol command.
 17. The method of claim 14, further comprising:dividing, by the FRB, the power into management power and load power;outputting the control signal that permits supplying the managementpower if it is determined that the RTM or FTM is plugged into acorresponding slot on the FRB according to a signal state of “inposition” in the RTM or FTM, wherein supplying power to the RTM or FTMby the FRB according to the control signal comprises supplying themanagement power to the RTM or FTM according to the control signal thatpermits supplying the management power.
 18. The method of claim 17,further comprising: requesting the FRB to supply the load power when theRTM or FTM is plugged into the corresponding slot on the FRB and ahandle of the RTM or FTM is closed; and outputting the control signalthat permits supplying the load power when the FRB permits supplying theload power, wherein supplying power to the RTM or FTM by the FRBaccording to the control signal comprises supplying the load power tothe RTM or FTM according to the control signal that permits supplyingthe load power.
 19. The method of claim 17, further comprisingoutputting the control signal that permits supplying the load power whena user inputs a control command, wherein supplying power to the RTM orFTM by the FRB according to the control signal comprises supplying theload power to the RTM or FTM according to the control signal thatpermits supplying the load power.